The Boston College Eagles named Ryan Leonard one of their alternate captains for the 2024-25 NCAA season on Monday.
Boston College is two weeks away from their season opener against the Michigan State Spartans at Munn Ice Arena. Leonard is returning for his sophomore year in college after a record-setting freshman campaign saw him score the most goals by a freshman (31) in school history.
Graduate defenseman Eamon Powell will serve as BC’s captain, while seniors Connor Joyce and Mike Posma join Leonard as the other alternates.
In his first year with the Eagles, Leonard amassed 60 points (31g, 29a) in 40 games and finished as the NCAA’s third-leading goal scorer. BC made it to the national title game, where they fell 2-0 to the Denver Pioneers.
Leonard will be one of three returning All-Americans on BC’s roster, joining regular linemate Gabe Perreault and goaltender Jacob Fowler. The Eagles expect to be favorites again in 2025, adding the projected number-one overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, James Hagens, to Leonard and Perreault’s line in place of the Will Smith, who left school and signed with the San Jose Sharks over the offseason.
Leonard’s decision to return for another year in college was unexpectedly difficult. Just a few days after the heartbreaking loss to Denver, then-Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan approached Leonard to sign with the Caps a day after Washington qualified for the 2024 playoffs.
The 19-year-old winger was torn, but after consulting with his family, especially his brother John, a veteran of 70 NHL games, he decided to return to college. Leonard specifically cited a desire to win a national championship and another World Juniors gold medal for Team USA.
However, Leonard plans for this season to be his last in the NCAA and will be eligible to sign with the Capitals after BC’s season is over.
